NEWS

Office of the Premier

Ontario and First Nations Moving Ahead With Road to Ring of Fire
Province Supporting First Nations Proposal to Build All-Season Access Road

NEWS August 21, 2017

Ontario is taking an important next step toward developing the Ring of Fire, working with
Webequie, Marten Falls and Nibinamik First Nations to plan and construct a year-round access
road into the proposed mining development site being pursued by Noront Resources Ltd. As
part of this project, the province is also working with First Nations to build all-season access
roads to their communities.

Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Thunder Bay today with the Minister of Northern Development
and Mines, Michael Gravelle, to announce that Ontario will support First Nations to plan and
construct an east-west road connecting the Webequie and Nibinamik communities to the
provincial highway network north of Pickle Lake. This project would provide all-season access to
both First Nations communities as well as into the Ring of Fire development.

The province is also supporting Marten Falls First Nation to plan and construct an access road
connecting the community to the existing provincial highway network at Aroland/Nakina.

Communities are working to begin environmental assessments of these projects by January

2018, and plan to begin construction in 2019, pending all necessary approvals.

As a next phase, Ontario will continue to support Marten Falls to undertake further technical and
environmental studies that could inform planning and development of a north-south access road
tied to the development of, and business case for, chromite mining in the Ring of Fire.

Building these roads is a critical step in realizing the economic benefits of one of the biggest
mineral-development opportunities in Ontario in almost a century. Funding for these roads is
part of the governments commitment to invest $1 billion in Ring of Fire infrastructure to create
jobs, provide long-term benefits and improve quality of life for people in the region.

Ontario is working to support these First Nations as they address all regulatory requirements so
that this unique environment is protected.

The province welcomes this merging of cultural considerations with regulatory requirements and
will ensure First Nations and their perspectives, including traditional knowledge, are carefully
considered in decision-making.

Investing in the development of the Ring of Fire while ensuring that First Nations participate in
and benefit from this development is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help
people in their everyday lives.

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QUOTES

I am grateful to the Matawa First Nations who have been working with us for years to get to this
historic day. The entire Ring of Fire region has huge potential for development that would
benefit all of the communities involved and the entire province creating new jobs and
improving the quality of life for people in the North. Getting shovels in the ground to build this
connection to the Ring of Fire will move us forward towards unlocking its full potential.
Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario

Webequie First Nation is collaborating with Nibinamik First Nation through an existing bilateral
agreement with a goal of addressing our infrastructure needs that will benefit our people and the
region. As proponents, this will allow us to engage with our people and serve them more
effectively including respecting other First Nations. The project initiative will further define the
routing for a multi-purpose corridor which will accommodate infrastructure projects such as
roads, transmission lines, and broadband. Our Land Stewardship and environment protection
will be a priority for the people of Webequie First Nation, as it is our inherent right stemming
from our three tier land base model to implement benefit relationship agreements with both
levels of government. The success of the related project development in the Ring of Fire is
dependent on the immediate implementation of the statement of joint commitments developed
with the Province to work with the community on various jurisdictional matters.
Chief Cornelius Wabasse, Webequie First Nation

We have been working towards development of the region with Ontario for a few years and are
glad to finally have an agreement to connect to the provincial highway. As the historical
occupants of the Ring of Fire, we believe that mining development must be both
environmentally and economically sustainable and we want to develop infrastructure that
enables a multi-generational chromite opportunity. Today's announcement is a new beginning
and we will continue to work with Ontario on the commitment to undertake further study toward
developing our vision of a North- South industrial corridor that transverses a majority of Marten
Falls territory as part of the long term development of the Ring of Fire. This is a very significant
opportunity for Marten Falls, the North-South region and for the Province. We must make the
most of it."
Chief Bruce Achneepineskum, Marten Falls First Nation

Todays announcement is a major step forward for Noront as we prepare to develop our nickel
and chromite deposits in the Ring of Fire. Establishment of a road network with agreement on
industrial access is our most important project advancement milestone and we are very pleased
to see it move ahead. We look forward to working closely with the province and First Nations
communities through the road construction and mine development processes.
Alan Coutts, President & CEO, Noront Resources Ltd.

QUICK FACTS

The mineral deposits in the Ring of Fire have an estimated value of $60 billion.

Exploration discoveries to date include high-grade chromite, high-grade nickel, copper, zinc,
gold, platinum group metals and vanadium.

Chromite is an essential ingredient in the production of stainless steel.

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Since 2011, Ontario has contributed more than $111 million to help communities and tribal
councils prepare for Ring of Fire development opportunities, including skills development,
capacity building, community well-being studies, community-based training programs and
economic development funding.

So far, more than 3,100 First Nations clients have received support through this investment.

Ontario and Matawa First Nations remain committed to moving forward with the Regional
Framework Agreement signed in 2014, and are also working in partnership to address
jurisdictional concerns.

Ontario and the federal government are working with Matawa and its member First Nations
to connect the communities to broadband technology to increase access to health,
education and economic development.

Ontario is actively working with Marten Falls, Nibinamik and Webequie First Nations to enter
into funding agreements to support the next stage of technical and environmental studies
and economic opportunities.

LEARN MORE

Ring of Fire Secretariat

ontario.ca/newsroom
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